These are the men who will score the tries which may well make the difference when the final whistle goes. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the All Black back three.
Being a selector is never easy.
But when it comes to picking the All Black outside backs it is nigh on impossible.
Such was the quality of candidates that anyone of up to a dozen players could have been included and not disgraced the All Black jersey.
But Graham Henry and co finally settled on their chosen five.
But have they made the right choice?
After the shocker Zac Guildford had against the Australians in Brisbane, many are saying Henry got it wrong.
Guildford, on his day, is a talent - plenty of speed, a sound cover defender, and the ability to be in the right spot at the right time.
But any more of those shockers he has put up the past couple of times he has run on to Suncorp Stadium mean he will not see much game time at this tournament.
The drums are beating to get Israel Dagg into the side anywhere and anyhow.
He has taken to test rugby like a duck to water.
He started off with two impressive seasons for the Highlanders and, despite an injury-affected year with the Crusaders this season, his class is never in doubt.
If a player is that good then you find a place for him. That may be the case for Dagg.
Isaia Toeava is one player who was always going to be in the squad.
He has led a charmed life with the selectors ever since they picked him out of nowhere in 2005.
He is a jack of all trades but, at his worst, a master of none.
He played fullback for the Blues this season and at times was the best player on the paddock.
But he can go missing in the big games and never looks like he can spark anything.
Cory Jane wins his spot on the back of his past two years in the All Blacks where he was all quality and did nothing wrong.
After a woeful season for the Hurricanes, he has made the most of the opportunities given to him, scoring twice in the big All Black win over the Springboks.
At the back, Mils Muliaina has been cool and composed ever since the last World Cup when he was wrongly moved to centre.
Heading for Japan after this tournament, Muliaina will want to go out with a bang. The former Southlander has all the skills and has matured into one of the leaders of the side.
Outside backs
Age: 31
Test caps: 98
Physical: 93kg, 1.84m
Experienced and still consistently putting out quality efforts. Question marks have been raised over whether he can stay in the team ahead of others but is fully trusted by coach Henry.
• Israel Dagg
Age: 23
Test caps: 7
Physical: 95kg, 1.86m
Dagg has that match-winner look about him. Safe under the high ball and explosive with the ball in hand, he will force his way into the side in any position.
• Isaia Toeava
Age: 26
Test caps: 32
Physical: 99kg, 1.81m
The project has been around for six years now but never totally convinced. Looked in good form this year for the Blues, before injury intervened.
• Cory Jane
Age: 28
Test caps: 25
Physical: 85kg, 1.83m
Looked out for the count two months ago but played a couple of blinders and saves his best for the black jersey.
• Zac Guildford
Age: 22
Test caps: 7
Physical: 1.82m, 96kg
Has plenty of pace and scores lots of tries. But has played poorly on a couple of big occasions of late and may be squeezed out by others.
